Social Outreach

Bereavement Ministry

Members serve as facilitators between the grieving family, the church office and the parish community. Members visit and offer emotional and practical help to the family in their time of grief, along with a blanket made by the St. Martha Ministry.

Bereavement Support Group

Parishioners are offered an opportunity to meet privately or in a group session with a local bereavement counselor. To make an appointment, please call Charmaine at 766-2431.

Blood Drive

Bi-annual drive allows St. Jude parishioners to donate their blood for the good of the St. Jude and larger communities. Coordinated with the OLOL Blood Bank, if a St. Jude parishioner receives blood during a medical procedure, they can call Charmaine at 766-2431 and have their OLOL account credited for however many units they received.

Catholic Daughters of America

This group is comprised of women who truly reach out and care. CDA is a fraternal organization of Catholic women (18 or older) who provide individual, corporate, social and spiritual service on the parochial, diocesan, state and national levels. CDA members host a monthly Coffee and Doughnuts at a reception in the parish hall following 8:00 a.m. Mass.

Giving Tree

Once a year in mid-November, volunteers assist with placing paper gift-request ornaments on Christmas trees in the church; they then assist with sorting the gifts received and preparing them for distribution to the families. This is a time-sensitive program that requires several hours on 1-2 days of the busy Christmas season.

Greetings by Mail

Mail cards to St. Jude parishioners in area hospitals and to parishioners who have lost a loved one. Get well, sympathy, etc. are gladly sent upon request. A beautiful expression of saying ‘we care’ and that we are always thinking of and praying for our parishioners.

Homebound Ministry

This ministry coordinates all ministries to homebound parishioners, including but not limited to communion to the homebound, gift bags created by our DMA ministry, youth ministry outreach to the homebound and visits by our pastor.

Hospital Visitation

This group visits St. Jude parishioners in area hospitals, brings prayer cards and sometimes a lap blanket made by the St. Martha ministry. They will do home visits upon request. A smile, prayer and comforting heart are a must to be a part of this ministry.

Hospitality – The Triple A Club (AAA) – Adult Activity Assistants

This ministry offers assistance with parish receptions and/or social events, including Missions, receptions, First Communion and Confirmation. Share your talents of organizing, floral arranging, baking, being hosts/hostesses and offering a friendly smile.

St. Vincent de Paul

Men and women show dedicated love and care in personal service to the poor. The members of this ministry conduct independent interviews with each applicant at the parish ministries building. Assistance is provided on the basis of need after screening of applicants. They also prepare and distribute Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets to the needy each year. The members meet on Monday afternoons (except for holidays) from 5:00-6:00 PM in the Ministry/Education building. Recipients of funds must bring a picture ID, a copy of their lease agreement and the bill they need assistance with.

Respect for Life

Men and women actively promoting a universal respect for all human life; from its earliest beginnings at conception to its transition through natural death as set forth in the church’s Gospel of Life. It also focuses on respect for life through the prevention of Euthanasia, pornography, adult & child abuse and neglect and all other forms of natural dignity depriving behaviors.

Ministry of Diversity Awareness

A ministry in progress that seeks to understand and celebrate the cultural diversity of our faith community.

Prison Outreach

Group of men who volunteer their time once per month to bring Eucharist to Maximum Security Inmates at Angola. Currently exploring including RCIA and the Faith Sharing communities programs in this ministry. A chance to make a real difference in a person’s life.

Parish Disaster Preparedness Team

In the wakes of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav so many parishioners came forward to lend a helping hand. We would like to form a structured team now to promote effective planning for the parish for disaster preparedness and response. Please consider committing to be a Parish Disaster Volunteer (PDV).

St. Anne

Members welcome newly baptized infants in our community and support their families by sending cards and/or visiting.

St. Martha Ministry

Members gather (either day or night groups) to knit and crochet lap blankets, shawls, and hats for the homebound, ill or bereaved in our parish.

Gardere Initiative Partnership Ministry

Works with the Gardere Initiative to assist the underprivileged living within the St. Jude

parish boundaries. There are various opportunities throughout the year to work directly with, or on behalf of, the families living in our area; such as the Kits for Kitz Drive, Clean Up the Community work days, volunteering at the Gardere Christian School, the Gardere Youth Alliance annual banquet, etc.

Transportation

A ministry designed to assist parishioners with occasional transportation when they are unable to attend church functions due to lack of transportation.

In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.(Acts 20:35)